With so many bank cards in the marketplace providing precious advantages and rewards, it may be difficult to determine which one deserves an software.
Right here at TPG, we perceive this firsthand, as our workers members usually take stock of their very own setups and weigh whether or not they need to add a brand new card to their wallets. With a number of concerns at play, the choice shouldn’t be at all times easy.
From profitable welcome bonuses to refreshed perks, many elements can affect your choice. This is a snapshot of the playing cards TPG staffers are making use of for proper now and why.
American Specific Platinum Card (Mehdi Sijelmassi)
Welcome supply: New American Specific Platinum Card® members can discover out their supply and could also be eligible for as excessive as 175,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome presents fluctuate, and also you will not be eligible for a proposal.)
Annual price: $895 (see charges and charges)
Senior Product Analyst Mehdi Sijelmassi stated the truth that he certified for the 175,000-point welcome supply on the Amex Platinum was an enormous driver in his choice to use. He ran the numbers on the cardboard advantages he already spends cash on and which of them he plans to make use of, and noticed that he got here out within the inexperienced.
The assertion credit that made up many of the worth for Mehdi have been:
Plus, he stated he is trying ahead to receiving Centurion Lounge entry and elevating his journey expertise even additional.
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To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Amex Platinum.
*Enrollment is required for choose advantages.
#Pay along with your Amex Platinum at an eligible U.S. Resy restaurant; no reservation is required.
^Legitimate on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders within the U.S. Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account once you add the Amex Platinum as a fee methodology and redeem with any Amex card.
Apply right here: Amex Platinum
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit score Card (Ben Smithson)
Welcome supply: New candidates can earn 80,000 bonus factors and a 25,000-point International Companion Award after spending $4,000 or extra on purchases inside the first 90 days from account opening.
Annual price: $395
The Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit score Card is on the prime of Senior Factors and Miles Author Ben Smithson’s want checklist, regardless that he is by no means flown Alaska Airways (and stated he most likely by no means will).
Ben desires to earn among the most respected airline factors in a single massive welcome bonus. He additionally sees the worth within the versatile 25,000‑level International Companion Award, which may be redeemed on all of Alaska’s airline companions, together with American Airways and British Airways. That perk is good even for somebody like Ben, who relies in London and would not fly with Alaska Airways.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Atmos Rewards Summit.
Apply right here: Atmos Rewards Summit
Citi Strata Premier Card (Julie Hong)
Welcome supply: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual price: $95
Senior PR Supervisor Julie Hong opened the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see charges and charges) as a result of she’s keen to begin transferring Citi ThankYou Rewards factors to American Airways.
Plus, she has the Citi Double Money® Card (see charges and charges) and can be capable of mix rewards from that card with these from the Strata Premier for a greater switch ratio.
With the Double Money alone, Julie may switch her ThankYou factors to American Airways AAdvantage at a 1:0.7 ratio, that means 1,000 ThankYou factors would turn out to be 700 American Airways miles. Nonetheless, by pairing the Strata Premier together with her Double Money, she’ll unlock a better 1:1 switch ratio and obtain 1,000 American Airways miles for each 1,000 ThankYou factors transferred.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Strata Premier.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier
United Explorer Card (Rachel Craft)
Welcome supply: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual price: $0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months (then $150 thereafter)
She’s lastly pulling the set off as a result of she desires to do a safari subsequent 12 months, and United Airways has 80,000-mile business-class award flights from Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN) to varied cities in Africa. She has additionally acquired a barely increased customized welcome supply (80,000 miles), which is simply sufficient to cowl certainly one of her flights.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the United Explorer.
Apply right here: United Explorer
World of Hyatt Credit score Card (Olivia Mittak)
Welcome supply: Earn as much as 60,000 bonus factors:
- 30,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening
- 30,000 extra bonus factors by incomes 2 bonus factors per greenback spent within the first six months from account opening (on purchases that usually earn 1 bonus level; on as much as $15,000 spent)
Additionally, earn two whole tier-qualifying night time credit towards Hyatt elite standing (for every eligible night time stayed with Hyatt from Oct. 16, 2025, to Jan. 31, 2026, on as much as 15 nights).
Annual price: $95
Credit score Playing cards Editor Olivia Mittak is within the World of Hyatt Credit score Card (see charges and charges) for its Class 1-4 free night time certificates and the flexibility to earn qualifying night time credit for standing.
By redeeming the cardboard’s annual free night time certificates, Olivia can simply offset the $95 annual price, since any keep costing at the very least $96 per night time places her forward.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the World of Hyatt card.
Apply right here: World of Hyatt card
Backside line
TPG staffers strategy every new card strategically. They contemplate their present playing cards, upcoming journeys and the place new perks will add probably the most worth.
There isn’t any single greatest technique, however by reviewing your playing cards and targets, you’ll be able to construct a setup that helps your journey ambitions — similar to our consultants.
Associated: How to decide on one of the best bank card for you
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.
